Tolentino warns of severe water crisis in 2025
LUBAO, Pampanga — The whole nation will suffer from severe water crisis in 2025 unless government acts fast to address the impending situation.
Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial bet Francis Tolentino aired this warning as he called for the immediate creation of a single water agency that will address the water shortage that may be made worse by an El Niño situation.
“Hindi pa inaanawns ng PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration) ang El Niño. But if you look at Pagudpud, for example, makikita na na bitak-bitak ang lupa at tila nagsasabing panahon na upang magtipid ng tubig (PAGASA has yet to announce the onset of El Niño. But look at Pagudpud, for example, parched lands are now visible to indicate the need to save water),” said Tolentino, formerly a presidential political adviser.
Tolentino is one of the first batch of Hugpong candidates that former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally accompanied in a campaign sortie here, her hometown.
Also invited were Senator Cynthia Villar, former Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., and former special assistant to the president Christopher “Bong” Go.
Tolentino has proposed the creation of an agency or a department that will be tasked to address water issues, including the tapping of new sources, initiation of conservation measures and regulation of use and cost.
The proposed agency will consolidate the functions of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, Local Water Utilities Administration and the National Water Resourcers Board in order that all government resources will target solutions to the impending water shortage.
“This will be similar to the Department of Water in Pakistan,” he said.
Tolentino, a former chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Administration, slammed bids to increase water rates as a way of developing new water sources.
He recalled that during his term as MMDA chairman he strongly opposed the petition for increase in water rates by the two water concessionaires of Metro Manila.